True charity contrasted with Hindu mendicity- The Satanis-These are to the Vaishnavas, what the Jangams are to the Saivas-Chaitanya-Ori- ginally this sect was composed of all castes, but now it is chiefly Sudras-The appearance and habits of the Sātana-The saviour of the elephant- Song; a Meditation on Vishnu-Maricha and Sabahu-How Rama obtained Sita-The demon Kākāsara-Song; Praise to Rama-The Dāsari or Pariah priest; His duties and habits-His songs; Divine Meditation and a Hymn to Vishnu-The Dasari's blessing-The Dasari and the Panchangam Brahmin as astrologers, and their method of calculation-The Sanyasi as a mendicant. The chief gurus of the three great Hindu sects-The various strolling mendicants-Choultries, their founding and their uses-The Mahabharatam on choultries-The ordinary street beggar-Mendicity in England-Difficulty of legislating on mendicity in India-The large numbers who live upon charity 199-212 213-226 CHAPTER XVI. HINDU FUNErals. Modes of disposing of the dead an interesting Pages. 227-243 CHAPTER XVII. HINDU FUNERALS.—(Continued.) Burying the dead and Shraddhas-Reasons for days a daily visit is paid to the grave by the Karta Origin of the Pariah-Their funeral rites based on fear-The Malas-No death bed ceremonies beyond taking a dying person out of the house-Death often hastened-Cremation takes place at once-The Malas practically Pagans-Vaishnava rites-They perform sacrifices unorthodox funeral rites must be at a distance from caste funerals-A revolting ceremony on the bier-Position of the pile with head to the south-Subsequent purifications-The jackals- Coffins not used-Repulsive aspect of a Hindu bury- ing ground-Day funerals and night funerals-Food and provisions for the departed spirit-Throwing food to the birds before partaking-Ceremonies of the fifteenth day-The night procession and three storied car-Declaration of widowhood-Removal of ornaments-Mala widows not shaved-Presents from relatives towards the expenses-Fear of demons and departed spirits-The Goundans-The Todas- The toda viaticum-The Green funeral and the Dry 244-264 266-283 Belief in omens pervades all classes-Influence of numbers-Influence of precious stones-Omens originally connected with flight of bird,-Setting out on a journey-Forty-three possible good auguries and thirty-four possible evil ones-Distance beyond which omens cease to have influence-A bad omen would cause a pious Hindu to turn back and start again-Influence of snakes-Serpent worship-The cobra in the house-Lizards-The cry of the lizard— The falling down of a lizard brings ill luck to the person on whom it falls-What to do in such a case The crow-Its character, an Ishmael among birds- Dogs-The pariah dog-Nearly always brings bad luck-Cats-Jackals-Sneezing-Breathing-The Passion for adornment-Universal-Locking upthe precious metals-All savings invested in jewellery -Even a day labourer-Forms a negotiable security Cause of domestic bickering--unmarried persons ought not to wear ornaments-Hebrew women and the decoration of the Temple-Ornaments generally made to order, not stocked-No sham jewellery-No change of fashions-Ornaments for the head twelve different kinds-For the nose-The ear-The neck, twenty-four-The arms and wrists-Glass bangles- The bangle man-Fitting them on the waist, legs, and feet-Anklets-Toe rings-Great inducement to crime-Especially jewellery worn by children- Superstitions regarding jewels-The Ruby-Dia- CONCLUDING REMARKS. 323-330 PREFACE. THE Rev. J. E. Padfield, who has been for the last twenty-seven years a Missionary in the Godavery and Kistna Districts of the Madras Presidency, has here brought together in book form a series of articles, the majority of which have been up to the present time, scattered among the monthly issues of The Madras Christian College Magazine. No class of European has a greater opportunity of making a close study of Native life than the Missionaries, the very nature of whose life-work, whether among the hill tribes or among the dwellers in the plains, necessitates a close communion with the Native population. Of these opportunities Mr. Padfield has taken advantage to the full, producing, as the result of his observations, an epitome of the general life and ceremonial observances of the orthodox Hindu together with some accounts of the customs of the unorthodox. For myself, engaged as I am almost singlehanded in an anthropological survey of the races, tribes and castes of Southern India, I welcome this addition to the literature bearing on what are commonly known as "manners and customs. By our cold-weather visitors I am repeatedly cross-questioned as to the significance of sect-marks, caste, and other complex matters relating to Hindu life, and for such the present book will prove an admirable traveller's companion. Not, however, to the transient visitor only, whose interest in Indian affairs C |